Copenhagen to Sagnlandet Lejre and Aarhus

Day 1 · Wed, Sep 30
Lejre

Sagnlandet Lejre visit

  1. Charter bus: Copenhagen Bus Terminal to Sagnlandet Lejre — Depart around 7:00 AM; allow roughly 1 hour, depending on traffic, and confirm your drop-off point with the charter operator.
  2. Sagnlandet Lejre — Lejre; spend about 2 hours exploring the reconstructed prehistoric and historic settlements, and check the seasonal opening schedule before you travel.
  3. Sagnlandet Lejre café — On site; allow about 30 minutes for a simple lunch, roughly DKK 80–150 per person, if open; otherwise bring food.
  4. Bus to Sjællands Odde and Molslinjen ferry to Aarhus — Leave Lejre with enough time to reach the ferry terminal; the crossing takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, and onward bus connections and ferry times need to be checked against the day’s schedules.

Early morning: Copenhagen to Lejre

Your charter bus leaves Copenhagen Bus Terminal around 7:00 a.m.; allow about an hour to Sagnlandet Lejre, with traffic affecting the trip. Confirm the exact drop-off with the operator in advance—the site is outside central Lejre, so don’t assume you’ll be dropped at the station. You may arrive before the gates open: check the site’s September 30 opening hours before setting out, and confirm that your charter can collect you again at a specific time.

Late morning: Sagnlandet Lejre

Allow around two hours at Sagnlandet Lejre to wander among its reconstructed prehistoric and historic settlements. The grounds are spread out, so wear comfortable shoes and keep an eye on the time. If the Sagnlandet Lejre café is open, budget about 30 minutes and roughly DKK 80–150 per person for a simple lunch; seasonal hours can be limited, so bring food and water as a backup.

Afternoon: On to Aarhus by ferry

This is the day’s tightest leg: from Lejre, you’ll need to get to Sjællands Odde for the Molslinjen ferry to Aarhus. Check the bus connections and ferry departures together before you go, and book the crossing ahead; the ferry takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, but the overland connection from Lejre can take considerably longer. Leave enough margin to reach the terminal before check-in closes, and don’t plan on squeezing in extra time at the site if the schedules are tight. Once in Aarhus, save Den Gamle By and the Botanical Garden for tomorrow.

Day 2 · Thu, Oct 1
Aarhus

Old Town and Botanical Garden in Aarhus

Getting there from Lejre
Train: Lejre to Roskilde, then DSB InterCity/InterCityLyn to Aarhus H (about 3–3.5 hours total; roughly DKK 250–500). Book via DSB.dk or the DSB app; check closer to travel for October schedules and cheaper Orange fares. Take a morning departure if you need to be in Aarhus early.
  1. Den Gamle By — Aarhus C; allow 2–3 hours for this open-air museum’s historic streets and buildings.
  2. Botanical Garden — Beside Den Gamle By; spend about 1 hour in the gardens and greenhouses.
  3. Aarhus Street Food — Near the central bus station; have lunch here, with a wide range of casual options at roughly DKK 80–150 per person.
  4. Bus: Aarhus to Copenhagen Bus Terminal — Leave with time to reach your booked departure; allow roughly 3–4 hours for the journey and check the operator’s schedule.

Morning: Historic Aarhus

After arriving in Aarhus, head to Den Gamle By in Aarhus C; allow 2–3 hours to wander its streets and period buildings. It’s easiest to reach by taxi or local bus from the station, or on foot in about 25 minutes. Check the museum’s October hours before setting out—opening times can vary by season—and budget roughly DKK 150–200 for admission.

Late morning and lunch

Botanical Garden is right beside the museum, so continue there on foot for an hour among the paths and greenhouses. The gardens are free; check greenhouse hours, which may be shorter than the outdoor garden’s. Then make your way toward Aarhus Street Food near the central bus station for lunch: stalls offer plenty of casual choices, usually around DKK 80–150 per person.

Afternoon: Back to Copenhagen

Leave time after lunch to collect any bags and reach your booked bus. Depart from Aarhus’s central bus area for Copenhagen Bus Terminal, allowing roughly 3–4 hours for the ride; check your ticket for the exact stop and arrive with a buffer, especially if you have luggage. If you finish early, stay nearby rather than adding a distant detour.

Like this trip? Make your own version.
A free, personalized itinerary in seconds — sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version